Chapter 1: The Lonely Girl Enters the Capital
In late autumn, the simple and crude courtyard was filled with white gauze, exuding a desolate and sorrowful atmosphere. The servants looked mournful with swollen eyes.
A woman in a neat green jacket hurried through the corridor and entered the main hall. She saw a young girl dressed in mourning attire and suppressed her sadness as she approached. "Miss, the seven-day mourning period for our father has passed. People from the capital are urging us to leave," she said.
Su Fu's eyes were slightly red as she looked at the familiar people and objects around her, feeling a sense of desolation.
Having traveled through time for a decade, she had become a daughter to her father. She had thought she would no longer be alone, but her father had passed away due to illness.
Her birth mother, Liu Shi, was originally the legitimate daughter of a prominent family in the capital. After insisting on marrying her father, who was only a seventh-rank county official, her relatives in the capital seemed to have forgotten about her. Even when she passed away due to illness in her early years, no one came to visit her. Now that her father had passed away, they immediately sent word to take her back.
"Xiao Chun, is everything packed and ready?" Su Fu asked.
"It's all prepared," the girl in green nodded, but she seemed worried. "Miss, when Madam married into the family, although the dowry was abundant, if we take it all back this time, it's likely to fall into someone else's hands."
"They came for this dowry after all," Su Fu sighed lightly, then stood up and looked at the desolate scenery outside. "But fortunately, they have ignored us for so many years. They have no idea how much profit Mother's dowry has generated, how many deals it has facilitated. Our priority is to preserve our lives."
Xiao Chun, who was only fourteen, had a mature and steady demeanor that didn't match her age. She felt sad in her heart. If it weren't for their father's passing, Miss would still be the extremely clever and innocent girl she used to be.
"Alright, don't be sad," Su Fu said, and the steward's wife who was guarding the front yard hurried over.
"Miss, it's been arranged. Master Lin will lead thirty people to escort us to the capital."
As soon as the steward's wife finished speaking, Su Fu looked in the direction of the door and saw a young man in a green robe standing outside, holding a paper umbrella with a gentle expression.
This Master Lin was the fiancé her father had arranged for her when he knew his time was running out.
Although he was the son of a sixth-rank military officer, he was gentle and kind, and his appearance was not bad. Su Fu had agreed to the arrangement, especially since Master Lin had always taken care of her since she was young. In this ancient era, what more could she ask for?
"Alright, let Master Lin wait for a moment. I will leave immediately," Su Fu said, then glanced at the people who were looking over, and gave a slight bow. The young man at the door blushed and returned the gesture with a smile.
Xiao Chun sighed on the side, "It's fortunate that we have Master Lin. Once your mourning period is over, you can marry him and live a comfortable life."
Su Fu did not show the coyness typical of young women. She just smiled faintly. If he treated her sincerely, she would reciprocate with sincerity. If he wanted to take concubines, she would find a quiet place to live a comfortable life with wealth and leisure.
She had thought about buying a piece of land to live a carefree life alone, but in this ancient era, life was too harsh for women, especially for those without men in their families.
Thinking of this, she sighed softly, "Let's go," and then walked away.
Xiao Chun quickly made sure everyone followed, and when they reached the door, they saw a gorgeously dressed woman waiting, with a magnificent carriage adorned with pearl wind chimes behind her.
